What are the changes in Player Registration Starting Spring 2015 Season?

Starting Spring 2015, Fremont Baseball Inc has changed the registration fees to cover the fundraising requirements. The registration fee you expect to pay at check out will include the fundraising requirements of $130 per player. However, you could choose to participate in league wide fundraisers during the season to get up to $130 reimbursed per player. Otherwise the registration fee covers all fundraisers.Please note that each team is also responsible for collecting a minimum of $500 as sponsorship to be turned in to the league, which is separate from fundraisers. Please check out the FAQ section for more information.

In the Pinto, Mustang, Bronco and Pony divisions, we will follow the 2015 Player Selection Plans approved and published by F.B.I. Rules Committee in Nov 2014. Players will be placed on teams following a procedure of "Tryout, Rank, Draft with Legacy Teams".

Why is the fundraising requirement included upfront with the registration fee?

In the past, individual fundraising has been a difficult challenge for the membership as well as the Board of Directors. There were instances where members failed to meet their individual fundraising requirements either due to busy schedules or lack of fundraising coordination. Also, our busy Board Members were additionally burdened with tracking each member family and following up with them on their fundraising commitments. As a step towards improving our league, we recognized the inefficiencies of individual fundraising and have consolidated the traditional fundraising requirement of $130 into the registration fees. This will allow the Board of Directors to adequately budget spending for the upcoming season and to focus on improving the baseball experience for all members.

For member families that would like to participate in fundraising activities, they can participate in league wide fundraisers during the season and will receive up to $130 in reimbursements per player. If the upfront $130 inclusion is an inconvenience for your family, we apologize and have a "deferred payment program" available. For more details on this topic, please contact FBI Board.

What are the changes in Coach/Manager Application for Spring 2015 Season?

Online Registration is now available for Coach/Manager Applicants from within your family account. You need to first add an adult member to your family account, then choose "register" and follow the instructions to submit your applications.

Coach/Manager Background Check is required starting Spring 2015 season. The league will cover the cost of Background Check for Team Manager, Coach and Assistant Coaches. Background Checks cover two years.

In the Shetland division we usually assign kids to teams based on their ages and schools of attendance, and we allow parents to request that their child be placed on a team with a particular child or manager.

In the Pinto, Mustang, Bronco and Pony divisions, we will follow the 2015 Player Selection Plans approved and published by F.B.I. Rules Committee in Nov 2014. Players will be placed on teams following a procedure of "Tryout, Rank, Draft with Legacy Teams", therefore we cannot honor any requests of this kind for players participating above the Pinto level.

How is PONY Baseball different from Little League Baseball?

The primary features that distinguish PONY Baseball from Little League Baseball are the use of a two-year age bracket system and scaled diamonds.

In organizations such as Little League players can differ by as much as three years within a division. As a result, the younger players because of their lack of maturity, ability, and size find it hard to communicate with the older players. Generally they find themselves spending a disproportionate amount of time on the bench and may feel disconnected from their team. With players of only two ages involved, as is the case with PONY Baseball, it is far easier to permit every player to play more positions since the difference in skills within the age group is not that great. The game of baseball cannot be played as it was intended to be played if the physical capability of the players does not match the physical achievements required for the game.

Little League uses two different diamond sizes. Up until age 12 players play on a 60-foot diamond. PONY Baseball, on the other hand, scales the size of their diamonds to match the physical capabilities of the players within each division. The base dimensions for PONY Baseball are: 50-foot bases for Pinto (7-8 year-olds) 60-foot bases for Mustang (9-10 year-olds) 70-foot bases for Bronco (11-12 year-olds) 80-foot bases for Pony (13-14 year-olds) 90-foot bases for Colt (15-16 year-olds). These base dimensions are the result of extensive experimentation to determine the size on which players of each age group can properly play the game of baseball. Pitching distance is also scaled to the ability of the player in proportion to the size of the diamond. The scaled down diamonds allow the players to make the plays made by the major leaguers. Home runs become a possibility. Outfielders can play in a position proportionately equal to that played by a major leaguer, and the double play, squeeze play, and various strategy tactics, difficult for adults and nearly impossible for youngsters on a full size diamond, become a probability rather than an impossibility.

How long will the season last?

The season usually lasts about 10 to 12 weeks long, and is extended for those that are on the tournament teams. If there are excessive rained out games, the season may be extended for make up games.

How much do team pictures cost?

Each child will receive a free memory mate consisting of a 4x6 individual picture, a 5x7 team picture, and a button. Extra pictures can be ordered on Picture Day. Extra pictures must be paid for in advance. All pictures will be taken on picture day at Harvey Green Elementary school. Individual make up pictures can be taken a few weeks later. Please check the league schedule for more details.

Is the Pinto division an instructional or competitive division?

This is the player's first introduction to competitive baseball but the primary focus of the Pinto division is instructional. We do keep track of the standings. This is where the competitive element tends to creep in. If you believe your child's manager or coach is becoming too intense and demanding of the children on the team please give us a call at 510-227-6300, or contact your division representative. We'll have talk with that team's coaching staff and instruct them to calm down and show more patience with the young players.

When will the practices begin?

Depending on weather and forming of teams, we aim to start practicing at least a month before opening day. Typically practice starts the week after draft night, once the manager has his roster completed. For Spring 2015, the first day of practice is scheduled on Saturday, Feb 7th, 2015.

When will the season begin?

Please check the league calendar, either in our newsletter or our webpage for league dates and events. For example, for Spring 2015 season, the Opening Ceremony is scheduled on Saturday, Mar 7th, 2015.

Does F.B.I. offer Pre-season clinics?

For Spring 2015 season, the Shetland Division Free Clinics was offered on Saturday, Jan 31st, 2015. For the Pinto and above divisions, the board of F.B.I. is currently working on the schedules of pre-season clinics for players and coaches in mid January. More details will be announced once available.

When and Where are the Board Meetings?

Before the season starts, our Board of Directors usually meet on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month at RoundTable Pizza (Address: 40831 Fremont Blvd, Fremont, CA 94538) at 7:30pm~9:00pm. However, the schedule is subject to change once the games start. Please check our Calendar for updates.

Who do I call if I have a problem that needs to be resolved by the league?

If at any time you have a problem or just need some information, please call the league phone number at 510-227-6300 or call your divisional representative. Please leave a message on the answering machine clearly as it will be transcribed into text and sent out by email. If possible, please provide both a day and evening phone number.

If you are a manager or coach, please go to Coaches Menu and find "Submit an Incident Report" in case of any incident during a game or a practice. The Commissioner and Division Reps will receive your report through email and review it on time. In most cases we'll get back to you within 48 hours.

If you need to direct a question to a specific board member, we highly recommend that you go to "Contact Us"--> "Submit a Form", and choose from a list of specific topics to allow your message to reach the right person.

You are also welcome to attend a board meeting and express your concerns directly to the board. We meet on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month at RoundTable Pizza in Irvington area at 7:30pm. Please check our Calendar for more details. All board meetings have a slot of time at the begining set aside for these requests.

You may also contact any board member on the field if you cannot get resolution through your manager or division representative. Please email us to get the board members' phone numbers.